FNLC Supports Federal Announcement Endorsing Bill C262

Posted by Ubcic43sc on November 24, 2017

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) On November 20, 2017, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, addressed the Symposium on Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Priorities, Partnerships, and Next Steps, formally announcing Canada’s support of Private Member’s Bill C-262.

The FNLC fully supports, and is encouraged that after months of protest, Minister Wilson-Raybould, under the direction and leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau, will support MP Romeo Saganash’s Private Members Bill C-262, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

The UN Declaration is fundamental to the future of Indigenous-Crown relations, and is the very framework for how we may move forward to achieving lasting reconciliation between the Crown and Indigenous peoples throughout Canada.

Supporting a legislative framework for the full implementation of the UN Declaration is a crucial first step. Such a legislative framework is required to ensure a long-lasting, cross-government, nation-wide commitment to enact the standards affirmed by the UN Declaration, independent of partisan politics.

A comprehensive process of implementation must be immediately launched with the full participation of Indigenous peoples to ensure such standards are recognized and implemented. The FNLC maintains that the UN Declaration cannot be unilaterally adopted and implemented but must be implemented in accordance with the UN Declaration itself, through consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples in good faith.

The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

Showing 4 reactions

Richard Savy commented
2017-11-24 16:29:20 -0800

My feelings toward the bill sounds like a start. Personally, I do not trust the UN but this is a positive note. As for the Queen’s Prime Minister, he can not be held accountable for his actions although limited in his minority government. I am hoping for Canada to be a better place for First Nations people and not to be tread on by Corporate Law and the Corporations garbage piles, oil leaks, waterway poisonings, and other acts of un thought out travesty as fish farming. I still am not over the Catholics nor other sick ones who kidnap and torture. I am just one who has had a harder time than most.

Angela Jensen commented
2017-11-24 11:23:11 -0800

I think it is a good start. However I am skeptical because he wants more votes. Who is to say he won’t break his promise. To the Native people this time too.
It could go either way?